Fujitsubo no Nyōgo arrives at Emperor Kiritsubo's court at sixteen as an imperial princess, daughter of a former emperor. Her selection hinges on her uncanny likeness to the late Kiritsubo Consort, Genji's mother. This resemblance first draws the emperor's favor and ignites Genji's childhood fixation, deepening into an enduring obsession as he ages.

Though the emperor's consort and Genji's stepmother, Fujitsubo embarks on a forbidden affair with him, resulting in pregnancy and the birth of Reizei. Presented as the emperor's son, Reizei's true paternity burdens Fujitsubo with guilt and perpetual dread of exposure, especially as her political stature grows. Elevated to empress with her son named heir apparent—destined to succeed Emperor Suzaku—she faces heightened vulnerability to rivals like Lady Kokiden.

To evade discovery and deflect Genji's relentless pursuit, Fujitsubo takes holy vows, becoming a nun. This act erects a lasting barrier against further entanglement while signaling her retreat from worldly power, pacifying adversaries. Her withdrawal follows a second encounter with Genji that leaves her gravely ill, cementing her resolve to escape court intrigue.

After Genji's exile ends, Fujitsubo forges a tactical political alliance with him. She actively maneuvers in court affairs, wielding influence to advance shared objectives, revealing pronounced political agency distinct from her earlier passive role. Yet her deathbed scene resurfaces unresolved bonds with Genji, framing her as a romantic figure once more.

Beyond her actions, Fujitsubo anchors Genji's narrative as the "original substitute" for his mother, the archetype fueling his pursuit of echoes in women like Utsusemi, the Third Princess, and Murasaki no Ue. Her legacy endures through Reizei, who ascends the throne and ensures her posthumous honors as retired empress. In her twilight years, she receives paintings from Genji's exile, embodying their intricate, unbroken connection.